The Wood County Economic Development Commission (WCEDC) has received 27 applications for Hotel Occupancy Tax grants.

The WCEDC board met last Wednesday at the Mineola Civic Center during a county economic development conference.

Executive Director Christine Thomas reported that the grant review committee will meet Aug. 7 to make recommendations for the grants, which must improve tourism.

She said the month for receiving the grants in June will be called HOT June in future years.

Thomas also reported that only 40 to 50% of lodging establishments are properly paying the tax.

“That is something we definitely address,” she said.

Turning to sales taxes, she said a slight increase has been reported in the Lake Fork area.

Board member Todd Witt updated the board on the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the University of Texas at Tyler concerning a collaboration on art and the Wood County Walls project.

“We believe you learn through doing. This memorandum is ready to be signed and we are waiting on it. Just because we aren’t married does not mean we aren’t dating,” Witt noted.

“We have created an area for local artists at the high school and local levels to get involved. What we have now is students contributing to the economy of Wood County. They are using their creativity in bringing people to Wood County. The concept we have with UT-Tyler is Alive Lab! You should see the faces on the students to see their work on the (recently installed mural) wall. UT-Tyler students will be involved in helping us market and promote Wood County Walls.”

Nathan Witt from UT-Tyler, who leads the Talon, a journalism and marketing coalition, delved farther into the project.

“We want to create a real marketing organization the students can run. Our first project is going to be Wood County Walls,” he said. “The advantage we have as journalists is our ability to tell stories. Our vision is to tell stories of Wood County Walls and Wood County.

“The first project we are doing is the Wood County Walls Trail. We are going to all the towns on the trail with 10 members of our staff. We are going to film like a travel video. We will branch out into each community. We want you to tell us where you like to shop and where you like to go dine.”

The group heard from Winnsboro board member Pam Swanner concerning events upcoming at the Winnsboro Art Center and plans for a new facility for the organization.

The groundbreaking for the new facility is set for Aug. 10 on the Bowery at 10 a.m.

The new facility will be 10,000 square feet with two stories at 206 Market St. The new Creative Learning Center on the first floor will include a ceramics studio which will have indoor and outdoor kilns. 

Swanner said the annual Cowboy Poetry and Music Gathering is set for Sept. 28-29.

“We are fortunate to have many returning performers back again. We put them up with a place to stay and make sure they have everything they need while they are here in Winnsboro,” Swanner said.

The Winnsboro Arts and Wine Festival is Nov. 1-2 and draws artists from not only Texas, but from across the states.

“This has been a really successful festival for us,” she said.

The board also heard a presentation on the new economic development software the WCEDC will be using to track future projects and streamline communications.